College of the Desert
Palm Desert, California · Public
Graduate earnings
9of 10 assessed undergraduate programs
have graduates earning more than a typical California high-school graduate (about $36,976 a year). 1 falls short.
10 of 102 undergraduate programs could be assessed. The other 92: 89 with no earnings published and 3 with nothing reported.
Average net price, all families$15,728 a year By family income
What it would cost
Net price is the yearly cost after grants and scholarships, as reported for students who received federal aid.
Average for all families
$15,728 a year
About $31,456 over 2 years, if price and aid stay the same.
This multiplies the reported yearly net price by the years you choose. It is not a quote or a prediction: it leaves out interest, price rises and the chance of taking longer to finish.
Net price for every income band
| Family income | Net price per year |
|---|---|
| Under $30k | $14,872 |
| $30k to $48k | $15,071 |
| $48k to $75k | $17,137 |
| $75k to $110k | $20,621 |
| $110k and up | $21,969 |
| All families (average) | $15,728 |
College Scorecard, release 2026-06-10. Bands with no figure were not reported by the school.
Program earnings
Median earnings of each program’s graduates against a typical California high-school graduate ($36,976 a year).
10 of 102 programs could be assessed 10% have an earnings verdict
| Program | Degree | Median earnings | vs a high-school grad | Verdict | Median debt | Debt as years of gain | Recent completers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | Associate's Degree | $39,201 | +$2,225 | clears the bar | not published | not assessed | 145 |
| Business Administration | Associate's Degree | $52,620 | +$15,644 | clears the bar | not published | not assessed | 138 |
| Liberal Arts and General Studies | Associate's Degree | $45,349 | +$8,373 | clears the bar | not published | not assessed | 115 |
| Nursing | Associate's Degree | $106,782 | +$69,806 | clears the bar | not published | not assessed | 83 |
| Criminal Justice | Associate's Degree | $44,704 | +$7,728 | clears the bar | not published | not assessed | 66 |
| Sociology | Associate's Degree | $35,465 | -$1,511 | falls short | not published | not assessed | 45 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | Associate's Degree | $59,719 | +$22,743 | clears the bar | not published | not assessed | 27 |
| Communications and Media | Associate's Degree | $47,357 | +$10,381 | clears the bar | not published | not assessed | 24 |
| History | Associate's Degree | $49,234 | +$12,258 | clears the bar | not published | not assessed | 11 |
| Practical and Vocational Nursing | Associate's Degree | $40,391 | +$3,415 | clears the bar | not published | not assessed | 6 |
| Liberal Arts and General Studies | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 841 |
| Health Sciences | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 130 |
| Human Development and Family Studies | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 119 |
| Human Development and Family Studies | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 43 |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 39 |
| Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 36 |
| Interdisciplinary Studies | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 25 |
| Computer Science | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 24 |
| Kinesiology and Physical Education | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 21 |
| Fire Protection | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 19 |
| Fine Arts | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 19 |
| Political Science | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 18 |
| Auto Repair Technology | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 18 |
| Special Education | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 17 |
| Radio, TV and Digital Media | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 16 |
| Biology | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 16 |
| Kinesiology and Physical Education | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 16 |
| Business | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 15 |
| English | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 14 |
| Medical Assisting | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 14 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 13 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 12 |
| Mathematics | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 12 |
| Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 11 |
| Auto Repair Technology | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 11 |
| Mental Health and Counseling Services | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 10 |
| Administrative and Office Support | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 10 |
| Fire Protection | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 9 |
| Accounting | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 9 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 8 |
| Physics | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 8 |
| Accounting | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 8 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 7 |
| Culinary Arts | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 7 |
| Anthropology | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 7 |
| Economics | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 7 |
| Theatre | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 7 |
| Agricultural Production Operations | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 6 |
| Natural Resources and Conservation | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 6 |
| Natural Resources and Conservation | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 6 |
| Journalism | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 6 |
| Computer and Information Science | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 6 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 6 |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 6 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 6 |
| Agricultural Production Operations | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 5 |
| Chemistry | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 5 |
| Design | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 5 |
| Film and Photography | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 5 |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 4 |
| Business | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 4 |
| Business Administration | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 4 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 3 |
| Culinary Arts | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 3 |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 3 |
| Criminal Justice | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 3 |
| Film and Photography | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 3 |
| Music | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 3 |
| Mental Health and Counseling Services | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 3 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 2 |
| Teaching Assistants/Aides | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 2 |
| Engineering, General | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 2 |
| Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 2 |
| Music | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 2 |
| Allied Health Diagnostics and Treatment | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 2 |
| Allied Health Diagnostics and Treatment | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 2 |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 2 |
| Area Studies | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 1 |
| Radio, TV and Digital Media | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 1 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 1 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 1 |
| Social Sciences | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 1 |
| Hospitality Management | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 1 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 0 |
| Teacher Education (by level) | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 0 |
| Teacher Education (by level) | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 0 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 0 |
| Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 0 |
| Legal Support Services | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 0 |
| Philosophy | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 0 |
| Geology and Earth Science | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 0 |
| Geography and Cartography | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 0 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 0 |
| Design | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 0 |
| Healthcare Administration | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 0 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | Associate's Degree | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 0 |
| Practical and Vocational Nursing | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 0 |
| Hospitality Management | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 0 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not published | not assessed | earnings not published | not published | not assessed | 0 |
| Computer and Information Science | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not reported | not reported | nothing reported | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | Associate's Degree | not reported | not reported | nothing reported | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| High School/Secondary Certificate Programs | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | not reported | not reported | nothing reported | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Sources and definitions
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, release 2026-06-10. Earnings are medians for graduates who received federal aid. Debt is federal loans only.
- The high-school line is ED’s state benchmark, $36,976 a year.
- Earnings not published: ED reports the program but no earnings figure, usually because too few graduates were measured. Nothing reported: ED lists the program with no figures at all. Neither is a judgement of the program.
- Debt as years of gain is median federal debt divided by how much more graduates earn per year than a typical high-school graduate. It is not a repayment time.
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